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Here is the plain truth: America has been in a steep decline over the past decade, although you rarely hear the American media-political complex say or admit it. Any doubt? Face the truth: our national debt is over $15T and rising rapidly. It has already exceeded our annual GDP! In other words, we are becoming the next Greece! Still unconvinced? Read: USA in 2012/2016: An Insolvent and Ungovernable Country.

Misconception 2: We are in trouble, but everything will be all right

Why? “Because America has always come out all right when facing crises before, right?” Wrong! Prayer might have worked before, but not any longer for two reasons:

(1) Foreign competition. The China factor is totally different from before as follows:

Economically: Unlike America’s former competitors (e.g. Germany and Japan), China has both the size and weight to provide real competition for America. Additionally, China now has the momentum.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

Lincoln was right!

Misconception 3: Religion is important to America

No, religion is not (supposed to be) important to America, although it may be important to us individually. As a matter of fact, many Europeans sailed to America a few hundred years ago to escape religious persecution in Europe.

Church and State do not mix! Neither should impose on the other!

Misconception 4: If I work hard, my American dream will come true

Everybody can work hard and anybody can have wonderful American dreams, but only a small percentage of us can actually make it to the top - You must be good and lucky! Any doubt? Just look at NBA: You have little chance if (1) you are less than six feet in height and (2) you are not a black (e.g. not quick enough, not strong enough, or simply not good enough). For more, read: Pyramid Theory I.

History shows that a society needs and can only accommodate about 35% of its population college educated. Additionally, it’s important that you major “correctly” in college (e.g. engineering and business vs. philosophy and history), in order to maximize your employability in this increasingly competitive world. For more, read: America: From Public School to Government, What’s Wrong?

Misconception 6: We are the richest country on earth

This claim is arguably still correct. But it’s dangerous when used by the left-wing extremists to spend and spend like there is no tomorrow.

Look at China: Its government is much bigger than ours. Because China seems to be doing better than we (e.g. booming economy and high-speed rail), we need a bigger government to match with China, right?

Wrong! A big government in China is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing, because of China’s unique culture (e.g. vetting for the government “elites”). It’s a curse because of its communist past, when everything belonged to the public.

America is very different from China. America thrived largely because of rugged individualism and unfettered capitalism. America has been in a steep decline, largely because of destructive socialism and an out-sized government.

Frank Li is the Founder and President of W.E.I. (West-East International), a Chicago-based import & export company. Frank received his B.E. from Zhejiang University (China) in 1982, M.E. from the University of Tokyo in 1985, and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1988, all in Electrical Engineering. He worked for several companies until 2004, when he founded his own company W.E.I. Today, W.E.I. is a leader in the weighing industry not only in products & services, but also in thought and action.

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2 comments

This was written by some Obama-hating republican who secretly wants communism. So what if China makes more money? Look at the individual Chinese. Many are worked as hard as slaves. Yes we are in a terrible crisis and it won't be pretty but shrinking government is only going to be worse because chances are, something will screw up, and we will get the wrong people in government; people like Romney who want to keep the money for the rich and take it away from the poor through taxes. The real problem is the democrats and republicans not compromising on anything in congress! I believe that the people need more of an input on congress and frankly more education when it comes to American politics.

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